USS Eureka (1862)

USS Eureka (1862) was a steamer captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.

History
United States
Laid down: date unknown
Launched: date unknown
Acquired: 22 August 1862
In service: c. August 1862
Out of service: March 1865
Stricken: 1865 (est.)
Captured:
Fate: sold, 15 September 1865
General characteristics
Displacement: 50 tons
Length: 85 ft (26 m)
Beam: 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
Depth of hold: 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: not known
Complement: 19
Armament: two guns

Captured steamer converted to Union Navy service

Eureka, a screw steamer, was captured 20 April 1862 in the Rappahannock River, Virginia, by USS Anacostia; purchased by the Navy 22 August 1862; and assigned to duty in the Potomac Flotilla, Acting Ensign J. J. Brice in command.

Patrolling the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers

For the next 2½ years, Eureka patrolled the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers and their tributaries, to prevent the passage of people and commerce between the Confederates in Virginia and their sympathizers in Maryland.

Her shallow draft made her ideal for this duty, essential to controlling the flow of intelligence and supplies to the South.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

Inactive after March 1865, Eureka was sold at Washington, D.C., 15 September 1865.

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See also

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.


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